Gain real-world experience, develop your creative, research, and professional networking skills, and make an impact on campus and local communities with these media-related organizations. If you have a media-related organization to add or an update to make, please email media-info@illinois.edu.
Professional Organizations 鈥� Illinois Chapters
American Advertising Federation
Home to the largest student chapter in the nation with over 500 members, the American Advertising Federation at Illinois seeks to equip all student members with the tools, skillsets, and knowledge to be able to make a difference in the world of advertising. The American Advertising Federation at-large consists of a nationwide network of advertisers, agencies, media companies, local clubs, and student groups.
AAF at Illinois has nine committees, each specializing in different regions of the advertising space and providing members with the opportunity to work with real clients, tour ad agencies, and gain insider knowledge in the industry. All of our committees are student-run. Through presentations, social events, philanthropic events and participation in the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC), students in AAF gain skills that supplement their education and can ultimately help them find jobs after graduation. The organization accepts new members at the beginning of each semester (excluding summer).
For more information, visit or email aaf.uofi@gmail.com.
Asian American Journalists Association
鈥淥ur RSO tries to bring together Asian Americans in media on campus. During our meetings, we look at stories centered on Asian Americans, whether it be good or bad news, and how news media might stray away from accuracy and fairness. We also provide scholarship, internship, and networking resources for a members. We have bi-weekly meetings that feature a Q&A session with current or alum Asian American journalists to talk to our members about what they do and give some advice as young journalists.鈥� 鈥擜ngelle
AAJA promotes diversity in news coverage and in newsrooms by providing means of support among Asian American and Pacific Islander student journalists. The purpose of our (unofficial) student chapter is to provide networking, career and scholastic opportunities for students and to foster discussion regarding coverage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the media.
For more information, email aaja.uiuc@gmail.com.
National Association of Black Journalists
The National Association of Black Journalists works to improve the quality of news coverage by promoting diversity and ethical reporting. The NABJ invites professional journalists and professors to share their expertise and encourages members to participate in campus media outlets. The student chapter at Illinois is on
National Association of Hispanic Journalists
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists at Illinois strives to unify Latinx students interested in journalism and aid them in career advancement through hands-on reporting and professional development.
For more information, visit
Public Relations Student Society of America
The PRSSA is a student-run, non-profit organization that is dedicated to bringing public relations to the Champaign-Urbana campus. The PRSSA a 100+ student organization sponsored by the Registered Student Organization at Illinois open to all majors. PRSSA鈥檚 goal is to introduce members to the field of public relations, facilitate career development and better inform about the field through professional speakers, career workshops, case study discussions, technology training and community projects. The PRSSA also participates in the Bateman Case Study Competition, a national contest in which student teams create and implement a public relations plan for a nonprofit client. The PRSAA meetings are typically held on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
For more information, visit .
Society of Professional Journalists
The Illinois student chapter of SPJ aims to help students connect with other journalism majors and professionals in the field to learn more about careers in journalism. Faculty members occasionally attend meetings to discuss different aspects of journalism. All journalism students are welcome to attend meetings and participate in the organization, including pre-journalism students, as well as undergraduate and graduate students. Members have a lot of fun and love to see new faces!
鈥淪tudents should join SPJ for networking opportunities! Networking with current journalism students in the club is important, but networking with alums in the field is even better! At our bi-weekly Zoom meetings, we bring in guest speakers to hear about their journalism experiences both in college and out of college. So far this year, we have had a news producer from Madison, Wisconsin, a digital news producer with NBC5 Chicago, and a news director from Nashville Public Radio! In 鈥榥ormal times,鈥� we had opportunities to tour the local WCIA-3 TV station, invite guests in, and meet all together in Gregory Hall. I joined SPJ to get to know more journalism students, learn about internship opportunities, and connect with journalism professionals. I am so glad I joined SPJ as I have not only met so many amazing people, but I have also gained leadership skills, communication skills, and problem-solving skills.鈥� 鈥擜manda
For more information, visit their .